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Tenants and their advocates are celebrating a "small victory" after renters at an East Portland apartment building won a reprieve on their decision between a 45-percent rent hike and eviction.
Renters at the Ash Street Properties don't have to act by Friday and can wait until Oct. 21 to decide, according to a statement released to KATU Channel 2 yesterday by the property manager A&G Rental Management.
"This request was intended only to initiate discussions and to encourage tenants to explore what options may be available to them," it reads. "No final decisions on the part of the tenants will be required until October 21."
Last week, WW reported that tenants in the East Portland building were facing a $375-a-month rent hike on $825 rent.
Related: East Portland Landlord Gives Tenants a Choice: Pay a $375-a-Month Rent Hike, or Get Evicted
The owners of Ash Street Properties near Southeast 119th plan to charge $1,200 for a two-bedroom apartment.
Tenant advocates say the rent increases are unusual in part because of how far the building is from the city center.
Related: What it's like to be evicted, and not know why.
The tenants delivered demands Wednesday to the property manager to halt the evictions. Further protests are planned for Friday.
Related: Portland’s rent spike spreads east, pressuring low-income residents.
Press release from Portland Tenants United below:
The Ash Street Tenants Association and Portland Tenants United are celebrating a small victory after A&G Rental Management backed-down from an August 19 deadline for tenants to choose between a 45% rent increase or a no-cause eviction.
While A&G initially threatened tenants with notices clearly demanding an August 19 deadline, the company caved to pressure after the Association joined PTU to deliver their demands at A&G corporate headquarters on Wednesday.
In a statement to KATU, A&G told the Ash Street Tenants Association:
“This request was intended only to initiate discussions and to encourage tenants to explore what options may be available to them. No final decisions on the part of the tenants will be required until October 21.”
Despite backing off the early deadline, A&G doubled down on their threat to displace Ash Street residents if they cannot pay the nearly $400 rent increase. In the statement, A&G also blamed Portland’s rising popularity for the unprecedented rent hikes and evictions plaguing Portland tenants.
“Blaming tenants for their own suffering at the hands of landlords and property managers is disturbing. Tenants aren’t the ones raising rents and evicting families to maximize profits — tenants aren’t out there fighting tenant protections tooth and nail,” said Portland Tenants United organizer Gabriel Erbs.
Ash Street Tenants Association and Portland Tenants United invites the community to join their picket of A&G Rental Management this Friday:
Ash Street Tenants Picket A&G Rental Management
Friday, August 19 at 10am
1800 SW 1st Avenue
Portland, Oregon
Willamette Week